1964-68 Walker Basin (Summer and Winter) Allotment Management Plan

Introduction

This plan is written confirmation between the permittees on the Walker Basin Allotments, the V Bar V Cattle Company and William M. Sullivan, on the plan of management and range improvement that will be followed on the allotments. It is intended to cover the period 1964 through 1968.

Recognizing the variations of seasons and adverse weather conditions that may occur, annual permittee plans will be prepared after agreement on current procedures by the District Rangers and the permittees. These annual plans will contain the management practices and improvement measures to be carried out that year and will be based on and in conformance with the overall plan as contained herein.

Obtectives

The objectives of the permittees and the Forest Service on the allotments are essentially the same, that is:

1. Improvement in range condition and consequent increase in forage production and improvement in quantity and quality of forage plants.
2. Maximum continued livestock weight gains, and economic returns to the permittees, consistent with conservative range management principles.
3. Recognition of, and range management practices consistent with, the betterment of, the Watershed, Wildlife, Timber and Recreation values of the areas within the allotments.

In order to achieve the above objectives, it will be necessary to improve the present very poor and poor range conditions that exist on much of the allotments. To accomplish this, the first objective is to improve the vigor (health) of the existing forage plants which will increase the opportunity of obtaining new plants, or plant density, and improve the plant composition. Once the density of the forage plants and the composition of the plant community are improved, more litter will be deposited thus increasing the water holding potential of the soil. This will improve the soil fertility with a consequent increase in plant vigor and a betterment in range condition.

Studies have shown that in areas grazed continuously season long, natural livestock preferences for certain grasses lead to the elimination of those grasses and an increase in the less palatable, less desirable grasses. Continuous seasonlong grazing of plants seriously weakens them with a consequent loss of vigor and production. This weakness increases the plant's susceptibility to drought, disturbance and other mortality inducing factors.

To achieve the quickest betterment in range condition, a system of grazing must be designed to give the forage plants a chance to rest. By resting the plants, the vigor will be improved, and the plants given a chance to produce seed which will go to the revegetation of the present barren areas between the plants. When the seedlings are established, rest will again be provided to give them a chance to reach maturity and their full establishment in the plant community.

Along with this system of rest of parts of the allotments each year and deferment of grazing on other parts of the allotments, a program of noxious plant control and revegetation of barren areas will be undertaken. The necessity of resting these areas to allow establishment of the reseeded species and recovery of the areas is recognized and will be coordinated with the grazing system as outlined above.

As an example, on the summer range, if juniper control were conducted on the Snake Unit, a probable schedule or events would be as follows:

Year 1 - Graze in accordance with plan. Push juniper

Year 2 - Graze in accordance with plan. Juniper drying during year. Burn and seed in fall.

Year 3 - Rest from grazing to permit establishment of seeded species.

Year 4 - Rest from grazing to permit establishment of seeded species. (Late fall grazing might be permissible)

Year 5 - Graze in accordance with plan.

Revegetation areas will be planted in the early summer prior to the summer rains and rested during the year of seeding as well as the following year. In some cases it might prove desirable to give a third growing season of rest, and graze in the fall months of that year.

However, on the winter range, a somewhat different schedule would be followed:

Year 1 - Push juniper in summer and fall. Graze during winter season in accordance with plan.

Year 2 - Graze during winter in accordance with plan. Juniper drying during year - burn in fall.

Year 3 - Remove cattle in spring, seed in late June or July. Rest from grazing in fall.

Year 4 - Rest from Grazing in spring. Graze in fall in accordance with plan.

Likewise, on revegetation project on the winter range, it would be possible to drill an area in late June or July, rest it during the following season completely and graze it during the second winter season in accordance with the plan.

The scheduling of the grazing and range improvements as shown under Management Systems later on were developed with the above requirements in mind.

In summary, the mutual objective of the permittees and the Forest Service is an improvement of range conditions and consequently greater forage production. The ultimate goal will be the development of the full forage producing potential of the allotments and the implementation of a system of grazing whereby a part of the allotment is rested each year and other portions of the allotments are given deferment so that all parts are not grazed at the same time each year. Range improvements, fences, water developments, noxious plant control, revegetation and erosion control work in addition to livestock management will be planned to accomplish these goals.

History and Current Status

For the last ten years the average stocking on the allotment has been approximately 10,734 animal months which is broken down to 815 animals (4,082 animal months) on the summer range and 777 animals (5652 animal months) on the winter range. The season of grazing is yearlong with the permitted season approximately June 5 to October 20 on the summer range and from October 21 to June 4 on the winter range.

The operation is basically a cow-calf herd yearlong with approximately 150 calves being held over on patented land in the winter and grazed during the summer on the steer and heifer pastures near Mahan Park. The past system of management has been essentially a seasonal system with the livestock wintering on or below the Mogollon Rim, drifting up in the spring to the vicinity of Buckhorn where they are branded through onto the summer range. The cattle then work upwards through the pine type during the summer and with the advent of fall weather this movement is reversed and the movement towards the lower country is begun.

The shipping has been done from corrals near Beaver Creek in the winter range with the movement of stock to the corrals from the summer range being expedited by a shipping lane from Buckhorn to the corrals.

The permittees do some riding to improve distribution of the livestock and some waters have been developed. Salting is done both on water, and on feed but has not been widely used as an aid to distribution.

The allotment analysis completed in 1963 shows the range to be generally in poor and very poor condition with some fair and good condition being identified in the Buckhorn area. The range conditions are shown on the analysis map which is also used as the management plan map.

The eastern end of the summer range has a gross or 3,787 acres of patented "Aztec" lands in checkerboarded sections. Through Cooperative Agreement with Southwest Forest Industries, these lands are administered by the Forest Service which has full authority for grazing administration. These lands present no management problem at this time except that Government funds may not be expended on range developments on the patented lands.

The estimated grazing capacity is substantially less than the preference number of 986 CYL. To provide relief to the range and accelerate recovery, a 5-year non use agreement has been entered into with the permittees whereby a maximum total stocking rate of 490 CYL (400 V Bar V, 90 Sullivan) will be permitted, beginning in the fall of 1963. This non-use agreement is contingent upon the implementation of a suitable plan of management.

The planned stocking rate on the summer range is 2,450 (or 490 head for the season 6/1 to 10/31) and on the winter range 3,230 (or 490 head for the season 11/1 to 5/31). It is believed this number can be safely grazed under an intensive system of management.

It has been agreed with the permittees that each year, once in the fall on the summer range and once in the spring on the winter range, an inspection trip of the allotment by an appointed committee of the Coconino Grazing Advisory Board, the permittees and the Forest Service will be made. The purpose of this inspection will be to observe conditions on the ground, estimate the effectiveness of the management plan and at the end of the period have additional supplementary inspection data to augment Forest Service technical studies and assist in the determination of stocking rate at the end of the non-use period.

General Statements Applicable to Both Summer and Winter Ranges

Execution of the Plan:

It is recognized that in the implementation of the management plan and range development program, factors may arise that may make additions to, or deletions from, the plan desirable. This plan is intended to be, and must be, flexible to provide for the vagaries of weather, livestock, people and availability of funds. Any changes in the plan will be worked out between the District Ranger and the permittee and, with the approval of the Forest Supervisor, will be spelled out in annual permittee plans which will be supplementary to this long term plan and will contain items to be done in the year of preparation only.

Salting:

In order to promote better livestock distribution over the allotment and consequently more uniform utilization of the range, salt will be placed where feed is and in areas where more livestock use is desired. Exceptions to the above will be discussed with the District Ranger. Permanent salt grounds will not be established, except in isolated cases when it is considered necessary by the permittee and the District Ranger.

Improvements Maintenance:

In accordance with the terms of the grazing permit, the permittees are responsible for the current maintenance of all range improvements. Specific maintenance schedules will be prepared and extractions from this schedule outlining the specific maintenance to be done that year will be included in the jointly prepared annual permittee plan.

Fire Prevention:

Permittees will comply with Clause 9 of the ten-year grazing permit concerning the prevention and suppression of fires on National Forest land, or lands under National Forest administration.

Cooperation:

At this time there appears to be a possibility of the Salt River Valley Water Users Association making funds available for the improvement of the watersheds within the Salt and Verde River drainages. The Project has expressed considerable interest in juniper control within the Verde watershed, which includes all of the Walker Basin Allotments and may make funds available for participation in this work. If such funds do become available, they will be fitted into the framework of this plan and the proposed work outlined herein. The cooperation of the Project in noxious plant control projects would tend to accelerate the improvement program.

Wildlife

The summer range supports a moderate population of elk, deer, and antelope with other species such as turkey, bear and mountain lion present in varying numbers. Coyotes are present, but are kept well controlled and offer no problem, if current programs continue.

In several areas the elk and, in certain cases the deer, are in direct competition with the permitted livestock and conflict of uses exists. With the reduced stocking of cattle and stabilized game numbers, a lessening of competition is anticipated. Studies are in place and will be continued to provide data on wildlife populations, trend and food supply.

In order to enhance wildlife habitat, species of browse will be included in all revegetation projects, if seed is available, and wildlife cover islands will be retained in all noxious plant control projects. Fenced water developments and all division fences will have a smooth bottom wire raised 16" above the ground.

The Arizona Game and Fish Department will be invited to comment on proposed juniper control and revegetation measures before they are undertaken.

It is the objective of the Forest Service to maintain the deer and elk populations at their present numbers.

Recreation

The allotments contain no developed recreation sites and none are contemplated in the near future. However, the area is quite popular with hunters during the big game seasons, and with general forest sightseers during the summer months.

Recreationists cause some difficulties by leaving gates open, harassing stock and littering. In order to reduce the recreation impact on the livestock operation and secure public compliance with state laws, certain tanks will be posted to prohibit camping within 1/4 mile, all gates will be posted with "Please Close the Gate" signs and a continued effort will be made to end littering. Litterers will be prosecuted when apprehended. In all contacts with recreationists the importance of keeping gates closed will be stressed. It is expected that, as accessibility improves and public pressures mount, recreation use will increase.

Water

The allotments lie within the Verde River Watershed and are in a moderately high water producing area. It is expected that the range management practices, range revegetation and noxious plant control and erosion control measures contemplated in this plan will enhance the watershed values of the allotments.

The Salt River Project will be advised of tanks that are to be constructed within the watershed.

Timber

All of the commercial timber on the Walker Basin, except about three sections in the northeast corner was logged as a part of the Harris Park sale in 1957 and 1958. Approximately a 35% cut was made on National Forest lands and approximately 60% on the interspersed Aztec lands. The northeast corner has been logged in 1947 and 1948 (Willow Valley Sale) and that portion west of FH-3 was logged in 1962 (Jackson Unit Sale) and that east of FH-3 has been logged in 1963 as a part of the Pine Mountain Sale .

There will be no further logging on the allotment for several years after the Pine Mountain Sale is completed. There has been a limited amount of thinning in the commercial timber areas, but no further thinning or pulpwood cutting is anticipated in the near future except for that portion of the allotment within the Pine Mountain Sale.

Multiple Use Coordination

The Walker Basin summer allotment is within the Willow Valley and Westside Multiple Use Management Areas on the Long Valley District and the winter allotment lies within the Clear Creek and Verde Management Areas on the Beaver Creek District.

The Multiple Use Management Plans for the two Districts, and the specific plans for the Management Areas have been consulted and this range management plan is in accord with those plans. The successful execution of this management plan should enhance all Multiple Use values.

Last Revised: 26 April 2000